Chopper deal axed, US supplier blacklisted

The Department of National Defense (DND) has scrapped the controversial P1.2- billion UH-1 helicopter project and ordered the blacklisting of the supplier, the joint venture between Rice Aircraft Services Inc. and Eagle Copter Ltd of Canada.

On Friday, Malacañang confirmed that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin had ordered the termination of the deal, which has been the subject of a series run by The Manila Times based on statements made by “Joey,” who will be the government’s principal witness once congressional investigations of the anomalous transaction start.

Gazmin “terminated the contract and issued a blacklisting order against the supplier. We only have accepted 7 UH-1 helicopters. We continue to commit to the observance of our procurement laws and defend what is advantageous to the government,” Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said, quoting a statement sent to him by the DND Public Information Office.

DND Public Information Office.

In his order dated April 16, 2015, the Defense chief informed Robert Rice, an official of the joint venture, that the department decided to end the contract for “default” and other violations of the Government Procurement Act or Republic Act (RA) 9184.

“We regret to inform you that after profound perusal of the justification stated in your submitted Verified Position Paper dated April 6, 2015, the Contract Termination and Review Committee (CTRC) did not find substantial reasons to nullify the Notice of Termination. In view hereof, the DND partially terminates the contract for default and by virtue of Section 68 Rule XXII of RA 9184, effective on the date of receipt of this notice,” Gazmin said.

He added that the DND has forfeited the performance bond amounting to P44 million.
“The JV [joint venture]of RASI and Eagle Copters Ltd is likewise suspended from participating in the public bidding [for]all government projects for a period of one (1) year, commencing on the date of the attached Blacklisting Order,” the Defense chief said.

Last March 25, Gazmin ordered “partial termination” of the P1.2-billion UH-1 helicopter procurement contract with the US supplier because of the firm’s failure to deliver the ordered units within “180 days upon the opening of the letter of credit.”

In a Notice of Termination, he informed the supplier that the project is being “partially terminated for exceeding the ten percent (10 percent) maximum liquidated damages.”

“You are hereby ordered to submit a verified position paper stating why the contract should not be terminated within seven (7) days upon receipt hereof. Failure to show cause within the provided period, either by inaction or by default, shall cause the issuance of an order terminating the contract,” the DND chief warned.

Officials of the DND and the Philippine Air Force have been embroiled in the controversy surrounding the questionable acquisition of 21 refurbished UH-1D helicopters. The Manila Times source maintained that the supplier, in connivance with the officials, had worked to approve a “defective” and “disadvantageous” contract.

The Senate and the House of Representatives have separately scheduled investigations of the helicopter mess.

Reacting to Gazmin’s move, “Joey” said while the termination of the project and the blacklisting of Rice are welcome developments, it should not prejudice the outcome of the congressional probes that will determine who among the DND officials had connived with the supplier.

Joey said the DND order can be considered as a “gift” to the nation as it helped in “reducing the problem.”

DND is a mafia organization headed by Godfather Gazmin,they already made a money on this cancelled deal,that is why they cannot even depend our country they are busy corrupting money.Even the PCG should be investigated they cannot even protect our fisherman got a lot of illegal fishermen in our territorial water.BFAR dont have the tools to go deep out in the ocean.Should create a Homeland security type Department to oversee the PNP,Customs,immigrations and PCG.

Be Alert!!! These “axing” of this Rise company is just a SMOKE SCREEN by Gazmin and his partners in crime. I mean, “commissions” pala.
Hindi pala kayo tinawag na Secretaries at undersecretaries. Dapat sa inyo, COMMISSIONERS!!! TAGA KUHA NG COMMISSION